Solo rail journeys have taken me from Finland (where I live) to Istanbul, Lisbon, southern Spain, the Scottish Highlands, the Baltics and many places in between. An Interrail global pass offered the freedom to stay longer in places I loved or make spontaneous decisions to move on. With the help of those passes, I’ve travelled more than 16,000 miles by train across Europe in the last three years, mostly on my own.

My experience is an example of growing enthusiasm for European rail travel. Passengers took a record-breaking 8.7 billion rail trips within the EU in 2024, according to the latest data from Eurostat (the official statistical office of the EU). Demand for solo travel is also strong. Data from online travel search engine Skyscanner found that bookings made using the “solo traveller” hotel search filter had increased 83 per cent between 2024 and 2025. Freedom is the biggest motivation for travelling alone, says Opodo’s Solo Travel Trends 2026 report. Trains are the perfect vehicle for a liberating solo trip.

There are 33 countries in the Interrail scheme, and passes are valid on most trains in Europe, as well as some ferries. Second-class adult passes (for people aged 28–59) start from £246 for four days of unlimited travel within one month to £832 for three months of continuous travel. There are cheaper “youth” (aged 12–27) and “senior” (aged 60-plus) tickets.

Helpfully for travellers from the UK, Interrail covers Eurostar trains between London and the continent, with a fixed additional fee of around £30 for a standard ticket. Note that some other rail operators add an additional seat reservation fee and that you must pay for a reservation in a sleeper cabin or couchette on overnight trains.

Here’s my pick of the best European countries for solo Interrailing.

Best for: New Nordic connections

Sweden has 6,780 miles of track to explore, stretching from cosy communities (such as medieval Ystad or the cobbled university city of Lund) in the south to its northernmost reaches on services such as the Arctic Circle Train, a 17-hour sleeper route with views of snow-blanketed mountains, valleys and lakes en route to Norway. Plus, 75 per cent of its railway line is electrified, making its trains quieter and more energy efficient than those that run on diesel.

Female solo travellers may also be reassured that Sweden is third, joint with Norway, in the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security Index (GIWPS), which scores and ranks 181 countries on women’s wellbeing (US-based consulting firm Grand View Research found that 55 per cent of solo global travellers were female in 2025). I feel secure as a solo rail traveller in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Trains tend to feel calm and there’s a sense of respect for personal space.

There are also new international routes to try. On 10 August, a rail connection launched between Oulu in Finland and Haparanda in Sweden, the first direct connection between the countries in 38 years (run by Finland’s state-owned railway operator VR).

Meanwhile, a Swedish Snälltåget train began on 15 June, connecting Malmö with Oslo on a 373-mile journey (seat reservations using an Interrail pass from £3.80). Stops include Helsingborg for its historic seaside bathing houses and Gothenburg for outstanding fika (a break for coffee and cake). Interrail offers Nordic Passes, which cover Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland (from £143), and One Country Passes (from £90).

My favourite Swedish journey is the overnight train from Stockholm to Swedish Lapland. In winter, travelling from Stockholm to the coastal city of Luleå, I watched the snow grow deeper en route, as if entering a winter wonderland. The train continues to Abisko (a village in the Arctic Circle), one of Europe’s best places to see the Northern Lights. I chose to stay on my own in a two-berth sleeper. Shared couchette reservations from around £30; private sleepers from £60.

Best for: Historic railway stations, fee-free seat reservations

Laid-back, affordable food scenes and pedestrian-friendly cities make Portugal ideal for solo exploration, with railway scenery that includes the windswept Atlantic coastline and riverside valleys. Among the most striking routes to try are: the Douro Line from Porto to the small riverside village of Pocinho (the line follows the Douro River past terraced Port vineyards), the Cascais Line between Lisbon and the sandy seaside resort of Cascais and, my highlight, the route from Lisbon to Porto. The latter stops in Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal due to its canals and colourful, gondola-like boats, moliceiros. The best bit about Interrailing in Portugal? You don’t need a separate seat reservation for regional trains.

The country is also home to some of Europe’s most beautiful railway stations. Most striking is Porto’s 20th century São Bento, with walls covered in more than 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles. Others to visit include Lisbon’s Rossio Station, which has grand stone facades and palatial windows, the Douro line’s Pinhao Station where more blue-and-white tiles depict the wine-making industry and, another in the capital, Estação do Oriente, a futuristic hub made of glass and steel. One country Interrail passes from £69. Seat reservations, mandatory for long-distance Alfa Pendular (AP) high-speed services and Intercidades (IC) intercity trains, start from around £4 and must be made at the train station.

Best for: Scenic services

Switzerland contains some of Europe’s most spectacular rail journeys and it is easy to explore with a one country pass (from £126) or with an Interrail global pass. Also, travelling alone in Switzerland is no hassle: trains are punctual and changing trains with luggage is rarely stressful.

But, naturally, the main attraction is the scenery. The Glacier Express (you’ll need to reserve a seat, from £36) winds through the Swiss Alps between Zermatt and St Moritz, crossing the 65-metre-high, six-arch Landwasser Viaduct and passing deep gorges and mountain villages. Its panoramic carriages make it easy to spend eight hours watching the landscape unfold, without feeling bored for a second.

My pick, however, is the 1930s Belle Époque train on the GoldenPass route between Montreux and Zweisimmen, a chalet-filled village and the gateway to Gstaad’s skiing and hiking. The journey takes around two hours, and it is included in the Interrail pass: just add a seat (around £10). Pick up a croissant before boarding and enjoy breakfast in a plush vintage carriage as Alpine peaks, forest and cow-speckled meadows drift past your window.

Best for: Elegant efficiency

Austria is one of Europe’s easiest countries to explore by train. Its rail network is reliable: national operator ÖBB handles up to 90 per cent of the country’s passenger traffic and had a punctuality rate of 94 per cent in 2025. And its railway lines (of which around 74 per cent are electrified) link elegant cities such as Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck with striking Alpine scenery. The country also ranks ninth in safety in the GIWPS Index.

For a grand entrance, arrive on board the Nightjet sleeper from Amsterdam to Vienna. Operated by ÖBB, new-generation Nightjet trains that were introduced in 2023 feature capsule-like mini cabins designed for solo travellers. These cabins strike a balance between privacy and affordability (compared with reserving a traditional sleeper cabin to yourself). It feels luxurious to close the door, lock your luggage securely in a locker and wake up in a new country.

They were a welcome addition to Austria’s many overnight routes – Vienna has 16 final destinations accessible by night train, surpassing all other EU capitals.

With an Interrail global pass, sleeper reservations are required and typically cost between £25 and £85. Reservations for day trains are optional in Austria and start from a couple of pounds.

Best for: Fjord views

Norway is one of the world’s safest countries (ranked third in the GIWPS Index jointly with Sweden), its trains are reliable – save for the occasional disruptions due to snow conditions – and the scenery is among Europe’s most majestic.

Crossing the Hardangervidda mountain plateau and National Park, the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen) between Oslo and Bergen is Northern Europe’s highest rail line, climbing to 1,237 metres. Along the way, it passes snowfields, lakes, dramatic peaks and fjords. The journey can be made by day or overnight, and the sociable onboard café prevents feelings of isolation.

For the night train, solo travellers wanting privacy need to book a two-bed compartment (from £80). From Bergen, you can continue north by rail to Bodø, 50 miles above the Arctic Circle. Seat reservation for day trains within Norway are optional, from £4.

The Baltic Countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia)

Best for: Great-value old towns

The rail route between the Baltic capitals proves you don’t need a travel companion to enjoy one of Europe’s most romantic corners. Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius have compact, walkable and wonderfully atmospheric old towns, and affordable accommodation.

Data sourced for by hospitality data intelligence company Lighthouse found that the average price for a four-star hotel in Tallinn and Vilnius was €104 (£88) per night and the average price in Riga was €92. For comparison, similarly rated hotels in Barcelona come in at €248 per night.

Exploring the region by train became easier when a new rail connection linked all three capitals. Since January 2025, three operators, LTG Link (Lithuania), Vivi (Latvia), and Elron (Estonia) have coordinated a daily train with one change at the border station of Valga in Estonia. Visit in winter, and you’ll find the old town squares transformed by festive Christmas markets, twinkling lights and locals sipping hot mulled wine. In summer, tables with al fresco diners spill onto the colourful town squares.

A single country pass costs from £44 (Latvia and Lithuania) to £69 (Estonia), but to make the cost worthwhile, you’ll also need to visit other cities on the rail network, such as the University city of Tartu in Estonia, Latvia’s seaside Liepaja or the leafy Kaunas in Lithuania.

Best for: Affordable variety

From Alpine peaks to colourful seaside villages, Italy is one of Europe’s easiest countries to explore by rail, featuring regional, intercity and high-speed services. And, according to a survey by Hostelworld, Italy was the third most popular destination among solo travellers in 2024 and 2025.

Indeed, the lively piazzas and a culture of lingering over coffee make Italy an engaging destination if you’re travelling alone. Sip an espresso at a station café before boarding or enjoy a leisurely lunch without distractions.

Italy’s vast rail network (10,457 miles, around 72 per cent of which is electrified) makes spontaneous detours tempting, and easy. For spectacular scenery, take the Cinque Terre railway, where trains link five pastel-coloured villages clinging to the Ligurian coast. Tickets for these trips are better purchased without the Interrail pass as they are so cheap (around £8 in peak season) – save the travel dates on your pass for lengthier and costlier journeys. Overnight trains connect cities including Milan, Trieste, Rome, Palermo and Lecce.

One country passes start from £108. European Sleeper is part of the Interrail scheme and is launching an overnight route from Brussels and to Milan on 9 September. Seat, couchette or sleeper reservations cost extra.